The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission has announced the appointment of its first chief executive.

Eileen Masterman, who will join the Commission, on 11 August, brings extensive experience in senior roles in both the private and public sector. She is a former chief executive of Homes for Scotland and was previously director of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in Scotland.

Her current complaints investigation role at the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman reflects past similar positions, notably with the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland. In addition she has been a volunteer lay representative dealing with complaints of professional misconduct and poor professional service in a wide range of organisations.

The Commission, which is expected to begin operations on 1 October, will handle service complaints against legal practitioners in Scotland, and oversee the handling of misconduct complaints by the Law Society of Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates. Approximately 44 staff will work there.

Chair of the Commission, Jane Irvine, said: “I am very pleased that Eileen has agreed to join the Commission. She brings with her a wealth of experience and the skills in complaints and dispute resolution from various professional backgrounds. These will be necessary to manage the new processes we are introducing to resolve complaints about legal services within Scotland.” service complaints against legal practitioners in Scotland, oversee handling of misconduct complaints by the Law Society of Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates. Approximately 44 staff will work at the Commission.